I must admit, I’m good at many things. However there are a few things I’m not so good at. And that list feels like it’s getting longer each year.
Recently, I noticed that I don’t like writing long documents about the project’s implementation plan. I just want to get started, and figure things out along the way. As Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face”. So what’s the point of having a strict plan when it’ll change anyway?
However, clients really appreciate having a plan. Even if it’s high-level. Even if it changes. It seems to give them a sense of control. And I get that. But I don’t like doing it.
So in my latest client meeting, I called it out. I told them in an elegant fashion but was brutally honest about it. And then I told them how I plan to work around it.
And guess what?
The client smiled and said they have the same weakness. We actually bonded over it. Go figure.
The takeaway
Mentioning things that you’re not the best at isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. When you are confident enough in your other abilities, your weaker ones aren’t as important.